Interior Design

Nothing
sets off a dining area, foyer, or great room quite like a beautiful
chandelier. There are so many chandeliers available, with a variety
of styles and price points. If you want your house to look elegant,
there is no question you should look into getting one.

A
chandelier is like gold - it increases the implied value not only of
the room in which it is placed, but also the value of the home
itself. With today’s real estate market, that can be a big deal in
making your home truly stand out to the ever-choosy buyers out there!

So
where to begin, right? What is the right chandelier for your home?
Well, again this is going to depend on a few things.

First
of all, when you look into wrought iron chandeliers, you will want to
first decide on a budget. What room it will be installed into will
also be a consideration, in terms of budget. If it’s in a big
room, most likely you’ll want a larger chandelier, in which case
the price will naturally be higher. But it will be well worth the
investment.

The
materials out of which the chandelier is constructed will also drive
the price up or down. For example, chandeliers made out of crystal
using special light bulbs will be on the high end whereas wrought
iron candle chandeliers will be more within your budget. It’s up
to you. Chandeliers are inherently classy, so you almost can’t go
wrong here.

The
next consideration was already touched upon a moment ago, and that is
the room in which the chandelier will be placed. In most cases the
main room just inside the door (such as the foyer, living room, or
great room) is an excellent choice. It sets a tone of elegance and
class the moment a guest arrives at the front door (especially if you
live in a home with a lot of windows along the front wall, such as
French doors and the like).

Alternatively,
or in addition, placing a chandelier above the table in your formal
dining area is undeniably sophisticated, and will add a warm glow to
that space more than anything you can add. Another great choice is
above a staircase if your ceilings are tall enough to allow it.

Now,
let’s talk about where you should buy your chandelier. Naturally
there are going to be a variety of stores both locally and online
that will carry them. There are pros and cons to each. If you buy
locally, you get the advantage of being able to see it before you buy
it, and really get a feel for its magnitude and style.

However,
you will likely pay more locally than online, and it may be hard to
locate stores within close driving distance that carry what you are
looking for. Online, you have the advantages of the variety and
price comparison shopping. It is also easier to find what you want
more quickly. The disadvantage is shipping costs and waiting to see
what it will look like once it arrives. Well-taken photos at
merchants’ sites can give you a good idea, however.

Whatever
you choose, whether wrought iron candle chandeliers or crystal
electric chandeliers (or something in between), your chandelier
awaits you and is poised to incite a look of affluence and a feeling
of sophistication to your home, not to mention a warm glow and
beautiful atmosphere. Happy chandelier hunting!

Do
you love the flickering candlelight and elegant feel of deep velvet
draperies? Does the romanticism of the early Victorian Gothic
Revival appeal? Do you long for the romance of a bygone age?

Let
out your inner Morticia and consider enhancing your home with wrought iron chandeliers.

The
word “chandelier” derives from the French word “chandelle”
for candle. It was originally meant to refer to a candle-holder and
was not the lovely decorative focal point we think of today. The
most common form of chandelier was two pieces of wood in a cross
pattern with some spikes upon which one could attach candles. They
were originally used in medieval churches to illuminate large spaces.

During
the 15th century, developments in metalworking and design created the
chandelier as a work of art – much in demand in the wealthy
households of the time. A tour of historic buildings throughout
Europe and the New World will show that they were loved for both
their beauty and their endurance. From the stateliness of the Tudor
monarchs, to the romanticism of the Early Victorians, these wealthy
homes still have their beloved and lovely chandeliers.

But
today, you do not have to be wealthy to enjoy the beauty of wrought
iron chandeliers. You can find them in a range of prices to suit
your budget – all of them lovely and easy to care for. Indoors,
without the rain and weather to encourage rust, all wrought iron
requires is a good coat of wax before installation (much as you would
do for your car), and then the occasional dusting. Be careful! If
you use too much wax, it will leave a white, smeary residue. Be sure
to use the wax sparingly and buff well.

The
two basic types of wrought iron chandeliers you have to choose from
are the old-fashioned candle holders or the electric chandelier. The
latter usually has simulated candle-like bulbs that give you both the
beauty of candles and the convenience of modern electricity. These
electric pillars are lovely, safe and convenient.

But
what if you prefer the old-fashioned elegance of candlelight?
Certainly one can find plenty of wrought iron chandeliers that are
meant to hold candles. But be careful if you choose this! Fire
hazards are no joke. Make sure that any candle flame is at least two
feet from any flammable surface such as a wall, drapery or ceiling.
Be sure that you never leave candles burning unattended, and always
remember to blow them out before you go to bed or leave the house.